Two little sisters in Holland were returning home from school one afternoon, when a terrible storm started. For a little while, they were sheltered from the pouring rain under the large umbrella they had, but after a while the wind turned it inside out, breaking it. Then the older sister, Wilhelmina, covered her little sister, Alice, with her own coat. The storm was so awful that her coat was soon torn and then they had no protection from the storm. Alice, who was never very strong, soon became so weak that she could not go on. Her big sister, although almost completely worn out herself, picked her up and carried her on her back through the storm that kept getting stronger and stronger.
Finally, they reached home, but Wilhelmina was completely exhausted. She fell down on the porch, too tired to even go inside. Alice was safe, but that kind act cost Wilhelmina her life. She never got over the effects of that exhausting walk, and she was sick for the rest of her short life.
One day she said to Alice, “I am so glad I brought you safely home that day. Will you think of me when I am gone and remember you had a sister who loved you?” With many tears and kisses, Alice promised she would always remember her love.
A few months later in the village cemetery, a stone was put on a grave, with these simple but touching words in Dutch:
In loving memory of my dear sister Wilhelmina
who gave her life to save mine.
“The Son of God, who loved me,
Many who visited that graveyard were told the story of Wilhelmina’s love, and they were led to think of a greater love, the love of Jesus, who died not only for His friends but for His enemies, so they might be saved.
Have you believed on and welcomed Him as your Savior? Can you truthfully say, “I live, because He died for me”?
Messages of God’s Love 3/24/2024